Guiding Principles:

1. If it isn’t easy to use, it won’t be used.  

   • Everyone’s definition of easy is different.  

   • In homes with multiple people, personalization is key.  

2. The client’s eyes and ears will be the final judge. 

3. Create the best viewer & listener experience within budget. 

4. Thoughtful installs protect client hardware* & security.** 

5. Label. Make sure wires and devices are easily identified. 

6. Blend into décor when possible.   

7. No FOMO-

In tech, devices age quickly. Don’t be paralyzed by what is coming next. Enjoy your purchase and use the device as long as you can. Don’t worry if specs are “slightly” better in the next model. My favorite device is from 2012!  

8. Client's needs first-

When what the client wants is not possible despite our best efforts, explain why and always offer alternatives. If HEC cannot provide the desired service, we politely thank you for the opportunity and refer you elsewhere. 

* HEC uses surge protection for all hardware. This includes more than your outlet. Surges can travel through, antennas, cable coax, ethernet, and other connections. HEC ensures all points of entry are covered. If a customer declines protective devices in the system or alters the system to allow a new point of entry, HEC will be unable to help with any warranty claims due to a surge or power issue. HEC suggests a minimum of 10% of your hardware's cost be used to protect your hardware.

**Passwords: HEC protects all passwords entrusted to us through encryption. If a password is weak or we see possible security issues we will advise you to change it in accordance with the latest industry standards.  We advise all networks to have a guest network and restrict non-family to that network. We accept no liability for a system failure or being hacked if the advice was not heeded or family members or others have shared the passwords/network access. 

My AV Journey:

Experience

32+ Years of being an AV and technology enthusiast. Years of experience assisting residential and commercial remodeling, building, and installation projects. From cabinet installation and production to roofing and framing, my understanding of construction, building codes, and how to work with various trades allows me to integrate your technology into your home more seamlessly. 

The Pandemic - 2020, with two kids e-learning, my wife and I on Zoom and WebEx calls for work, I quickly increased my home's bandwidth and set up home offices. Then, I improved our surround sound to make family movie night as good as the local movie theater. The experiences had others asking me how I did it, and I began helping friends and family even more. Overwhelmed by others starting to reach out, I formed HEC to use the time efficiently as I still worked full-time for a health system. I also hoped to help others beyond my social circles make their tech work better for them.

I have set up, designed, or helped configure multiple home audio and video systems. I install and design personal networks(Wi-Fi), Ethernet, and network storage solutions. Whether the budget is $500 or $5,000, I love helping someone buy the right technology and seeing their family enjoying the product's benefits. Some of my recent projects include; 

Networking: Ethernet wiring, installing home servers/NAS, mesh networks with 2-9 access points.

Whole Home Remodels & New Construction: 

Prewire AV and Networking cabling to make installs and access to your tech easy and much less expensive. Using racks and low-voltage boxes, we create central locations for equipment to keep the tech hidden and easily managed. After the drywall is up, I add speakers, outlets, and wall plates. Post-construction, I add the TVs, audio & networking equipment. Then, the customer enjoys systems that work how they need them, with the flexibility to change with future needs. 

Entertainment areas/AV Centric installs: 

Large screen TVs with surround sound, including  5.2.4, 3.1, &  5.2.2 setups, some with in-ceiling speakers, adding TVs to home gyms, & programming universal remotes.

Added Sonos systems to kitchens with in-ceiling speakers and designed and installed home theaters with in-wall speakers to minimize visual clutter. Upgraded old in-ceiling and in-wall speakers for a customer throughout his home to increase clarity, bass extension, and efficiency, allowing his amps to run cooler and last longer.